Sunday 6 April 2014

Super simple baby quilt 4

I had a sudden thought that I should get a baby quilt started on Friday evening after work.  I recalled that the baby was due on Sunday, so I thought that something super duper easy was in order.  And it doesn't get much easier than sewing six fat quarters of fabric together (18' x 20").  But I thought I could do a little bit better than that!

All wrapped up and ready to go and keep a baby warm.

I decided to do an appliqué word at the bottom.  I had some spare iron on appliqué stuff (I can't for the life of me remember what it is called), but couldn't figure out a word.  The baby name is the usual choice - but I didn't know that.  I have also seen the great "eat, play, sleep, repeat" baby quilt, but that seemed like too much work!  The main fabric gave me a hint in the end - zombies are attracted by loud noises and lights. See, it says so ...

Critical zombie survival information.

And as Princess rightly said, "shhh..." is what you say when the baby is sleeping.  Precisely.

Terrible inside photo taken first thing this morning.

The appliqué was done by printing up the letters "S" and "h" from Microsoft Word.  The font is American Typewriter, and I used size 600.  I then cut the letters out and traced around them (back to front) with a pen on to one side the iron on fusible web.  The letters were ironed on to the back of the fabric.  Then I cut them out along the shape of the letter, and ironed them on to the quilt top.  I blanket stitched around the edge in white thread.  If I was more confident with my machine appliqué skills with Bernie, I would have used colour thread.  I'll save that for next time.

The fabric is Zombie Apocalypse by Emily Taylor Design for Riley Blake.  I discovered there are zombie doll panels on fabric.com this morning.  My life is pretty much incomplete without one, so a panel may have fallen into my shopping cart.  Like I don't have enough fabric or projects.


I used some soft towelling for the back - it is drapey and warm, and 100% cotton, which I think is important for baby.  I love minky, but find polyester doesn't breathe.  It has been quilted in my favourite new quilting technique - wavy lines across the quilt, 2" apart.  The chevron binding is also from Riley Blake.


On reflection, I would have preferred to use dark grey for the lettering - but that is a lesson learned for next time.  As it turns out, it was just as well I didn't muck around with the quilt.  While I was doing the quilting, the baby turned up at Saturday lunch time on a friend's bathroom floor.  Daddy helped deliver him together with the help of emergency services over the phone.  The little guy is doing well, and Mum looks fantastic.  Phew.  Talk about making my hospital delivery look like high tea at the Hilton.

Hope you're all doing well and had a great weekend!

12 comments:

DeborahGun said...

Between you and Hydee I am beginning to love the idea of just sewing FQ's together to make baby quilts. They are so effective. Good job on the applique - the thought of machine applique freaks me out!!

Anonymous said...

Being born on the bathroom floor by dad sure is a story to tell in the future! :)

What cute zombie fabric! I wouldn't even know how to cut it up so using the whole FQ is a great choice!

SewPsyched! said...

Awesome post and fab quilt!!!

MsMidge said...

Great quick quilt! I once did a fat quarter version of a rag quilt for a friend's 40th - worked a treat! Oh and the name of the sticky iron on stuff is Vlisoflex :)

MsMidge said...

Great quick quilt! I once did a fat quarter version of a rag quilt for a friend's 40th - worked a treat! Oh and the name of the sticky iron on stuff is Vlisoflex :)

Lucy | Charm About You said...

Fabulous! Love the lettering and fun fabrics! Good job Dad was there, I had 3 planned homebirths but even though the midwife was there my husband delivered the last one!

Anonymous said...

What a brilliant idea for a quick baby quilt. I'm stealing that one. Glad mama and baby are doing well. What a crazy delivery story.

Renee said...

I love this quilt because any new parent can relate to zombies! And those zombie fabrics are so clever and fun!

Leonie said...

Yay for daddy's who deliver babies! Awesome quilt, you gotta love stcky applique stuff :). How did you find doing the binding with chevron? Matching the lines etc or not a bother? Cool quilt as usual Liz :)

Judy@Quilt Paradigm said...

Great idea that resulted in an adorable quilt!

Babies have a way of showing up when and where they want! haha Glad to hear everyone is doing well!

Glinda ♥ said...

Great story, lovely quilt, Liz. Personally, I like the subtle quietness of the lighter colouring - very apt for the sentiment :)

Sarah said...

Quilt looks great! I've never thought of just sewing Fq together. It looks really good. And shhhh is so appropriate. My hubs would not be impressed if he had to deliver our kids himself...no sense of adventure!